Evening Brief: Smoking tower and a tale of two titles

Tonight’s Evening Brief is brought to you the Ottawa Economic Association (OEA). 2017 was a great year for the Canadian economy, posting the fastest growth rate among the G7. Unemployment has dropped to its lowest level in nearly a decade and low interest rates have contributed to strong growth in household consumption. Join the OEA to hear from leading economists on their outlook for the Canadian economy in 2018 and beyond.
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Good evening to you.

The Lead:

The federal ethics commissioner has cleared Finance Minister Bill Morneau of allegations that he and his father benefited from insider information to save half a million dollars on the sale of shares in their family-built company.

Political opponents asked Ethics Commissioner Mary Dawson to look into the sale of millions of dollars worth of shares in Morneau Shepell Inc. in late 2015 by Morneau and his father — a sale that came just days before a major tax announcement that critics say triggered a dip in the stock market. The Canadian Press reports.

In Canada:

The federal government is offering a reprieve to the thousands of Canadian public servants who have to return overpayments the problem-plagued Phoenix pay system improperly made to them last year. Public Services and Procurement Canada is giving employees, who were overpaid in 2017, until Jan. 31 to report their overpayments and make sure they are recorded in Phoenix. More from Kathryn May.

January is off to a slow start in the Ottawa lobbying world, with only 11 new registrations posted to the federal lobbying registry last week. The small batch of filings shows Google subsidiary Sidewalk Labs registered its U.S.-based head of development, Joshua Sirefman, who also runs his eponymous consulting company, Sirefman Ventures Inc. Beatrice Britneff has that and more in the latest lobby wrap.

The social media movement known as #MeToo has prompted people around the world to share their stories of sexual assault and harassment, but elected women on Parliament Hill appear unsure about where things are headed. In a recent Canadian Press survey of female MPs about their experiences with sexual misconduct, 55 per cent of respondents said they believe the global conversation marks a turning point in how these issues are handled. However, about a quarter of the respondents said they believe the movement could prove to be a fleeting one. That story from The Canadian Press.

A day after categorically denying Canada’s Ambassador to Indonesia Peter MacArthur was in Rakhine State when he tweeted “perfect” beach shots, Global Affairs Canada now admits he was — but his wife Karen MacArthur, Canada’s ambassador to Myanmar, was not. According to a Foreign Affairs official speaking on background, the MacArthurs spent the holidays in Yangon, where she is based, with their two children until Mrs. MacArthur had to abruptly leave the country for a private family issue. At which point, Mr. MacArthur and his children travelled to the south of Rakhine State to enjoy some of the most beautiful beaches in the country. That story from CTV News.

The Trudeau government enters the second half of its mandate facing anger and frustration from Canadian military veterans over its recently announced pension scheme for those injured in uniform. The National Council of Veteran Associations, which represents more than 60 veterans’ groups, is the latest to come out against the pension plan, which Veterans Affairs Minister Seamus O’Regan unveiled just days before Christmas. CP reports.

Boyle briefly back in court (CP)
Social security tribunal set for an overhaul (CP)
Breaking down the rules on pot by province (CP)
Retailers will be able to sell pot in Saskatchewan (CP)

Internationally:

Special counsel Robert Mueller’s team could interview President Donald Trump over the next several weeks, The Washington Post reported today. A person close to the investigation told the newspaper that Mueller could interview Trump on a limited number of questions relating to the probe. “This is moving faster than anyone really realizes,” said the person, who spoke on the condition of anonymity.

The White House has rejected Stephen Bannon’s attempt to take back his criticism of the president and his children. Spokesman Hogan Gidley said Trump stands by his belief that Bannon has “lost it” and is “only in it for himself.” He said there’s no way back for Bannon at this point. More from The Hill.

In related news, attorneys for Michael Wolff’s publisher fired back at Trump’s attorneys today, calling the legal threats against the author “a gross violation of the First Amendment” and saying that publication of the book “Fire and Fury” would continue. The Hill has that story as well.

As for Trump’s “fake news awards” that were supposed to be held today, they’ve been postponed, because interest had exceeded his expectations. Of course it had. They’re set for the 17th now. We’ll wait with bated breath a bit long.

Meanwhile, Oprah Winfrey is “actively thinking” about running for president, two of her close friends told CNN today. The two friends, who requested anonymity in order to speak freely, talked in the wake of Winfrey’s extraordinary speech at the Golden Globes Sunday night, which spurred chatter about a 2020 run. CNN reports.

There was word today that Mitt Romney was treated for prostate cancer over the summer. But according to the source, his prognosis is good. The 70-year-old former governor of Massachusetts is being widely encouraged to run for Utah Sen. Orrin Hatch’s seat this year. CNN reports.

A Kingston pub located in a stone building that once housed Sir John A. Macdonald’s law office is shedding the name of Canada’s first prime minister because it’s offensive to some Indigenous customers, according to its owner. Sir John’s Public House, a two-storey pub and restaurant on King Street that seats 150 patrons, will abbreviate its name to The Public House, Paul Fortier confirmed today. “It’s this whole spirit of reconciliation,” Fortier said. CBC has that story.

The Kicker:

Finally this evening, we leave you with a tale of two titles: A Canadian professor’s 10-year-old book is back on the bestseller list and he has Donald Trump to thank for it. University of Toronto professor Randall Hansen published a book in 2008 titled Fire and Fury: The Allied Bombing of Germany, 1942-1945.

“It’s not my fault people can’t tell the difference between a book about Trump and a book about the bombing of Germany,” Hansen said. “But most have been jovial and appreciated the moment of levity.” CP has that story.